What is aplastic anemia?

Aplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow produces too few of all types of blood cells: red cells, white cells, and platelets. A reduced number of red blood cells causes the red cell number and hemoglobin (a type of protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body) to drop. A reduced number of white blood cells causes the patient to be susceptible to infection. A reduced number of platelets can cause the blood not to clot the way it should.

What causes aplastic anemia?

Aplastic anemia in children has multiple causes. Some of these causes are idiopathic, meaning they occur sporadically for no known reason. Other causes are secondary, resulting from a previous illness or disorder. Very often there is an immunological dysfunction (immune system problem) or malignant (cancerous) change in the cells.

Many childhood cases of aplastic anemia occur sporadically for no known reason. Acquired causes, however, may include:

The symptoms of aplastic anemia may resemble other blood disorders or medical problems. Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.

How is aplastic anemia diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination of your child, diagnostic procedures for aplastic anemia may include:

Blood tests

Bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy--a procedure that involves taking a small amount of bone marrow fluid (aspiration) and/or solid bone marrow tissue (called a core biopsy), usually from the hip bones, to be examined for the number, size, and maturity of blood cells and/or abnormal cells. In aplastic anemia typically the marrow is replaced by fat.

Treatment for aplastic anemia

Specific treatment for aplastic anemia will be determined by your child's doctor based on:

Aplastic anemia is a serious illness and treatment usually depends on the underlying cause. For certain causes, recovery can be expected after treatment, however, relapses can occur. To treat the low blood counts, initially treatment is usually supportive, meaning that it is necessary to treat the symptoms but not possible to cure the disease. Supportive therapy may include:

Blood transfusion (both red blood cells and platelets)

Preventative antibiotic therapy

Meticulous handwashing

Special care to food preparation (such as only eating well-cooked foods)